Heat transfer circuit with increased bearing lubricant temperature, and method of supplying thereof

ABSTRACT

A heat transfer circuit that includes a compressor with a gas bearing, a condenser, an expander, an evaporator, a lubricant stream, and a heat source. The lubricant stream receives a portion of the working fluid and supplies the portion of the working fluid to the gas bearing of the compressor. A method of supplying lubricant to a gas bearing of a compressor in a heat transfer circuit includes compressing and further heating at least a portion of the working fluid heated in the evaporator, and supplying the compressed and further heated working fluid to the gas bearing of the compressor. A method of the supplying lubricant to a gas bearing of a compressor in a heat circuit includes generating compressed gaseous working fluid within a lubricant stream.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, andrefrigeration (“HVACR”) systems. More specifically, embodiments hereinrelate to heat transfer circuits for HVACR systems.

BACKGROUND

HVACR systems are generally used to heat, cool, and/or ventilate anenclosed space (e.g., an interior space of a commercial building or aresidential building, an interior space of a refrigerated transportunit, or the like). A HVACR system may include a heat transfer circuitfor providing cooled or heated air to the area. The heat transfercircuit utilizes a working fluid to cool or heat the air directly orindirectly. Typically, a heat transfer circuit includes a compressor forcompressing the working fluid. The compressor includes one or morebearings that require lubrication to operate correctly.

SUMMARY

A HVACR system can include a heat transfer circuit configured to heatand/or cool a process fluid (e.g., air, water and/or glycol, or thelike). A working fluid is circulated through the heat transfer circuit.The heat transfer circuit includes a compressor for compressing theworking fluid. The working fluid and process fluid separately flowthrough a heat exchanger to cool and/or heat the process fluid. The heatexchanger may be a condenser or an evaporator.

The heat transfer circuit includes the compressor having a gas bearing,and a lubricant stream. The lubricant stream supplies gaseous workingfluid as the lubricant to the gas bearing to lubricate the gas bearing.The heat transfer circuit includes a heat source configured to preventliquid working fluid in the gas bearing.

In an embodiment, the heat source is a heater configured to increase atemperature of the gaseous working fluid flowing through the outlet ofthe lubricant stream. In an embodiment, the heater is configured to heatthe gas bearing and prevent the gaseous working fluid from condensing inthe gas bearing.

In an embodiment, the heat source is an auxiliary compressor thatprovides compressed gaseous working fluid to the gas bearing duringstartup or shutdown.

In an embodiment, the lubricant stream includes a tank and the heatsource is a heater disposed in the tank. When the compressor is to bestarted, the heater is configured to generate compressed gaseous workingfluid by vaporizing liquid working fluid in the tank. The lubricantstream supplies the compressed gaseous working fluid to the gas bearingduring the startup of the compressor.

In an embodiment, the working fluid includes one or more low GWPrefrigerants. In an embodiment, the working fluid includes at least oneHFO refrigerant. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit is oil-freeand the refrigerant(s) in the working fluid lubricate the heat transfercircuit.

In an embodiment, the working fluid includes one or more refrigerants,and each of the one or more refrigerants at the outlet of the lubricantstream is gaseous.

In an embodiment, the working fluid supplied to the gas bearing has asuperheat of at or about 4.0° F. or greater than 4.0° F. In anembodiment, the lubricant stream includes the heater. In an embodiment,the working fluid at the inlet of the lubricant stream has a superheatof less than 4.0° F.

In an embodiment, the inlet of the lubricant stream connects to the mainflow path of the heat transfer circuit at the evaporator or after theevaporator and before the condenser. In an embodiment, the lubricantstream includes both a heater and an auxiliary compressor.

In an embodiment, the heater is an electric heater.

In an embodiment, the heater is a heat exchanger through which workingfluid and a process fluid separately flow. The process fluid heats theworking fluid as the working fluid and the second process fluid flowthrough the heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the process fluid isutilized to cool a heat generating component downstream.

In an embodiment, a method of supplying lubricant to a gas bearing of acompressor in a heat transfer circuit includes compressing and furtherheating at least a portion of the working fluid that was heated in theevaporator with a process fluid. The method also includes supplying thecompressed and further heated working fluid to the gas bearing of thecompressor as the lubricant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Both described and other features, aspects, and advantages of a heattransfer circuit and methods of operating a heat transfer circuit willbe better understood with the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a method of supplying lubricant to a gasbearing of a compressor in a heat transfer circuit according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a method of supplying lubricant to a gasbearing of a compressor in a heat transfer circuit during a shutdown ora startup of the compressor according to an embodiment.

Like reference characters refer to similar features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system(“HVACR”) is generally configured to heat and/or cool an enclosed space(e.g., an interior space of a commercial building or a residentialbuilding, an interior space of a refrigerated transport unit, or thelike). The HVACR system includes a heat transfer circuit to heat or coola process fluid (e.g., air, water and/or glycol, or the like). A workingfluid flows through the heat transfer circuit and is utilized to heat orcool the process fluid. The process fluid may heat and/or cool anenclosed space directly or indirectly. For example, indirect heatingand/or cooling may include the working fluid heating and/or cooling anintermediate fluid (e.g., air, water and/or glycol, or the like), andthen the heated/cooled intermediate fluid heating and/or cooling theprocess fluid.

A working fluid includes one or more refrigerants. A working fluid mayalso include one or more additional components. For example, anadditional component may be, but is not limited to, impurities,refrigeration system additives, tracers, ultraviolet (“UV”) dyes, and/orsolubilizing agents.

There has been recent movement (e.g., the Kigali Amendment to theMontreal Protocol, the Paris Agreement, United States' Significant NewAlternatives Policy (“SNAP”)) to limit the types of refrigerantsutilized in HVACR systems as concerns about environmental impact (e.g.,ozone depletion, global warming impact) have increased. In particular,the movement has been to replace ozone depleting refrigerants (e.g.,chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), or thelike) and high global warming potential refrigerants with refrigerantsthat have a lower environmental impact.

The replacement refrigerants have lower global warming potentials(“GWPs”), and are non-ozone depleting, lower in toxicity, compatiblewith the materials of the heat transfer circuit and its equipment, andchemically stable over the life of the equipment of the heat transfercircuit. For example, previous refrigerants having higher GWPs areR134a, R22, R125 and the like. Lower GWP refrigerants include, but arenot limited to, for example, hydrofluoroolefin (“HFO”) refrigerants. HFOrefrigerants include, but are not limited to, for example, R1234ze(e.g., R1234ze(E)), R1336mzz (e.g., R1336mzz(Z)), R1234yf, R1233zd,R1234yf, and the like. The lower GWP refrigerants can be utilized inrefrigerant mixtures such as, but not limited to, R452B, R454B, R466A,R513A, R514A, and the like. In an embodiment, lower GWP refrigerantsinclude non-ozone depleting, lower GWP HFCs such as, but not limited to,R32 and the like. In an embodiment, the lower GWP refrigerants have aGWP of less than 700.

The heat transfer circuit includes a compressor that compresses theworking fluid. The compressor includes one or more gas bearings. The gasbearing(s) forms a thin layer of compressed gas to prevent contactbetween bearing surfaces (e.g., an outer surface of the bearing, anouter surface of a shaft, a thrust surface, or the like). A gas bearingmay be an aerostatic gas bearing or an aerodynamic-aerostatic hybrid gasbearing.

In an embodiment, an aerostatic gas bearing utilizes an external sourceof compressed gas to form the thin layer of gas during normal operationof the compressor. An external source of compressed gas is gascompressed by the compressor. Normal operation of the compressor doesnot occur when the compressor is starting up or shutting down.

In an embodiment, an aerostatic-aerodynamic hybrid gas bearing utilizesboth an external source of pressurized gas and a bearing surface that isspecifically configured to generate/promote formation of the thin gaslayer when rotated or facing a rotating surface. Theaerostatic-aerodynamic hybrid gas bearing utilizes an external source ofgas until the shaft of the compressor reaches a speed at which itsbearing surface is able to generate the thin gas layer. Both aerostaticgas bearings and aerostatic-dynamic hybrid gas bearings utilize anexternal source of gas.

A heat transfer circuit can be configured to provide compressed workingfluid to the gas bearing(s) of the compressor. Each of the gasbearing(s) utilizes the compressed working fluid as the external sourceof pressurized gas to form the thin layer of gas that prevents contactbetween its bearing surfaces. A refrigerant increases in temperaturewhen compressed. The lower GWP refrigerants have differing thermodynamicproperties than previous refrigerants such as R134a R22, R125 or thelike due to their different chemical structure. The replacementrefrigerants have a larger heat capacity when compared to the previousrefrigerants. For example, this larger heat capacity results from thelower GWP refrigerants having molecules with more atoms and/or a morecomplex structure. When compressed in a compressor, this larger heatcapacity causes a working that contains one or more of the lower GWPrefrigerants to be discharged from the compressor at a temperaturecloser to their temperature at which they begin to condense than theprevious refrigerants. When a refrigerant in a working fluid ispartially or fully replaced with a lower GWP refrigerant, this canresult in the compressed working fluid discharged from the compressorhaving a lesser amount of superheat (relative to a working fluid withoutthe lower GWP refrigerant). The superheat of a working fluid is thedifference between its current temperature and its dew point at the samepressure (e.g.,T(P_(x))_(superheat)=T(P_(x))_(Current)−T(P_(x))_(Dew Point)). The dewpoint is the temperature at which the working fluid begins to condenseat the same pressure. As a working fluid that includes lower GWPrefrigerant(s) is closer the temperature/pressure at which it condenses,partial condensation of the working fluid can occur when flowing intoand through the gas bearing(s), which can lower performance and/ordamage the gas bearing(s) and/or the compressor. Embodiments describedherein are directed to heat transfer circuits and methods of supplyinglubricant to the gas bearing(s) of the compressor that addresslubrication condensation issues that can occur due to, for example, theuse of lower GWP refrigerant(s).

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 1 according toan embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 1 may beutilized in a HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 1 includes acompressor 10, a condenser 30, an expansion device 40, and an evaporator50. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 1 can be modified toinclude additional components, such as, for example, an economizer heatexchanger, one or more valve(s), sensor(s) (e.g., a flow sensor, atemperature sensor), a receiver tank, or the like.

The components of the heat transfer circuit 1 are fluidly connected. Theheat transfer circuit 1 can be configured as a cooling system that canbe operated in a cooling mode (e.g., a fluid chiller of an HVACR system,an air conditioning system, or the like), or the heat transfer circuit 1may be configured as a heat pump system that can be run in a coolingmode or a heating mode.

A working fluid flows through the heat transfer circuit 1. The main flowpath 5 of the working fluid through the heat transfer circuit 1 extendsfrom the compressor 10, through the condenser 30, the expansion device40, the evaporator 50, and back to the compressor 10. More specifically,the main flow path 5 extends from an outlet 14 of the compressor 10 backto a suction inlet 12 of the compressor 10. The working fluid includesone or more lower GWP refrigerants. In an embodiment, the working fluidincludes one or more HFOs refrigerants. In an embodiment, the heattransfer circuit 1 is oil-free and lubricated by the refrigerant(s) ofthe working fluid.

Dotted lines are provided in the Figures to indicate fluid flows throughthe heat exchangers (e.g., condenser 30, evaporator 50), and should beunderstood as not specifying a specific path of flow through each heatexchanger. Dashed dotted lines are provided in the Figures to illustrateelectronic communications between different features. For example, adashed dotted line extends from a controller 90 to a temperature sensor92 as the controller 90 receives measurements (e.g., temperaturemeasurements) from the temperature sensor 92. For example, adashed-dotted line extends from the controller 90 to a heater 80 as thecontroller 90 controls the heater 80. In an embodiment, the controller90 includes memory (not shown) for storing information and a processor(not shown). The controller 90 in FIG. 1 and described below isdescribed/shown as a single component. However, it should be appreciatedthat a “controller” as shown in the Figures and described herein mayinclude multiple discrete or interconnected components that include amemory (not shown) and a processor (not shown) in an embodiment.

Working fluid in a lower pressure gaseous state is drawn into thesuction inlet 12 of the compressor 10. In an embodiment, the compressor10 is a centrifugal compressor, a screw compressor, or a scrollcompressor. A centrifugal compressor utilizes a series rotating bladesconnected to a shaft and/or plate to compress a gas. In an embodiment,gas is introduced to an outer radius of the blades as the shaft and/orplate is rotated. As the blades are rotated, gas is suctioned radiallyinwards and is then discharged in the axial direction. The blades rotateat speeds that result in the suctioned gas being compressed as it flowsradially inward. Accordingly, the compressed gas is discharged in theaxial direction. In another embodiment, gas is supplied along the axisof the shaft and/or plate, and the rotating blades gas compress the gasby forcing the gas to flow radially outward. Accordingly, the compressedgas is discharged in the radial direction. A screw compressor utilizesmeshed screws in which one or more of the meshed screws are rotated tocompress a gas. In an embodiment, gas is introduced to an end or side ofthe meshed screws and is compressed between the meshed screws as meshedscrew(s) are rotated. The gas is then discharged from a second end ofthe meshed screws from a side or end of the screws. A scroll compressorutilizes at least one pair of intermeshed scrolls in which one or bothof the scrolls are rotated relative to each other. In an embodiment, gasis introduced to an outer circumference or inner circumference of themeshed scrolls and is suctioned into and trapped in pockets between theintermeshed scrolls. As the intermeshed scrolls rotate relative to teachother, the pockets move along the intermeshed scrolls and becomessmaller, which compresses the gas trapped in each pocket. The pocketthen reaches an outlet and compressed gas is discharged from between theintermeshed scrolls.

The compressor 10 includes at least one gas bearing 16. The gas bearing16 may be a thrust gas bearing and/or a radial gas bearing. The gasbearing 16 is an aerostatic gas bearing or an aerodynamic-aerostatichybrid gas bearing. The gas bearing 16 utilizes an external source ofcompressed gas to form a thin layer of gas that prevents contact betweenits bearing surfaces.

The working fluid is compressed as it flows through the compressor 10from the suction inlet 12 to the outlet 14 of the compressor 10. Thecompression of the working fluid in the compressor 10 also causes thetemperature of the working fluid to increase. Accordingly, thecompression of the working fluid also causes the temperature of theworking fluid at the outlet 14 of the compressor 10 to have an increasedtemperature (relative to the temperature of working fluid at the inlet12).

The higher pressure and temperature working fluid is discharged theoutlet 14 of the compressor. The majority of the working fluid flowsfrom the outlet 14 of the compressor 10 through the main flow path 5 tothe condenser 30. A portion of the working fluid discharged from theoutlet 14 of the compressor and flows into an inlet 62 of the lubricantstream 60. The lubricant stream 60 is discussed in more detail below.

A first process fluid PF₁ flows through the condenser separate from theworking fluid. The condenser 30 is a heat exchanger that allows theworking fluid and the first process fluid PF₁ to be a heat transferrelationship without physically mixing as they flow through thecondenser 30. As the working fluid flows through the condenser 30, theworking fluid is cooled by the first process fluid PF₁. Accordingly, thefirst process fluid PF₁ is heated by the working fluid and exits thecondenser 30 at a higher temperature relative to temperature at which itentered the condenser 30. In an embodiment, the first process fluid PF₁may be air, water and/or glycol, or the like that is suitable forabsorbing and transferring heat from the working fluid and the heattransfer circuit 1. For example, the first process fluid PF₁ may beambient air circulated from an outside atmosphere, water to be heated ashot water, or any suitable fluid for transferring heat from the heattransfer circuit 1. The working fluid becomes liquid or mostly liquid asit is cooled in the condenser 30.

The liquid/gaseous working fluid flows from the condenser 30 to theexpansion device 40. The expansion device 40 allows the working fluid toexpand. The expansion causes the working fluid to significantly decreasein temperature. An “expansion device” as described herein may also bereferred to as an expander. In an embodiment, the expander may be anexpansion valve, expansion plate, expansion vessel, orifice, or thelike, or other such types of expansion mechanisms. It should beappreciated that the expander may be any type of expander used in thefield for expanding a working fluid to cause the working fluid todecrease in temperature.

The lower temperature gaseous/liquid working fluid then flows from theexpansion device 40 to and through the evaporator 50. A second processfluid PF₂ also flows through the evaporator 50 separately from theworking fluid. The evaporator 50 is a heat exchanger that allows theworking fluid and the second process fluid PF₂ to be in a heat transferrelationship within the evaporator 50 without physically mixing. As theworking fluid and the second process fluid PF₂ flow through theevaporator 50, the working fluid absorbs heat from the second processfluid PF₂ which cools the second process fluid PF₂. Accordingly, thesecond process fluid PF₂ exits the evaporator 50 at a lower temperaturethan the temperature at which it entered the evaporator 50. The workingfluid is gaseous or mostly gaseous as it exits the evaporator 50. Theworking fluid flows from the evaporator 50 to the suction inlet 12 ofthe compressor 10.

In an embodiment, the second process fluid PF₂ is air cooled by theHVACR system and ventilated to the enclosed space to be conditioned. Inan embodiment, the second process fluid PF₂ is an intermediate fluid(e.g., water, heat transfer fluid, or the like), and the cooled secondprocess fluid PF₂ may be utilized by the HVACR system to cool air in orventilated to the enclosed space to be conditioned.

A portion of the compressed working fluid that is discharged from thecompressor 10 flows into the lubricant stream 60 instead of flowing tothe condenser 30. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 60 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid discharged fromthe compressor 10. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 60 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid compressed by thecompressor 10.

As discussed above, the compressor 10 includes a gas bearing 16 thatneeds compressed gaseous lubricant to operate properly. Compressedworking fluid is supplied to the gas bearing 16 by the lubricant stream60 to lubricate the gas bearing 16. The working fluid supplied to thegas bearing 16 is gaseous. More specifically, the refrigerant(s) of theworking fluid supplied to the gas bearing 16 from the lubricant streamare each gaseous. The gas bearing 16 forms a thin layer of flowinggaseous working fluid between its bearing surfaces (not shown) toprevent contact between the bearing surfaces. The gas in the thin layerthen mixes with working fluid entering the compressor 10 through thesuction inlet 12, and is compressed and discharged from the outlet 14 ofthe compressor 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lubricant stream 60 includes a heater 80configured to heat the working fluid as the working fluid passes throughthe lubricant stream 60. The heater 80 is disposed between the inlet 62and the outlet 64 of the lubricant stream 60. In an embodiment, theheater 80 is a heat source of the heat transfer circuit 1.

In an embodiment, the working fluid discharged by the compressor 10 hasa superheat of less than 4° F. In an embodiment, the working fluiddischarged by the compressor has a superheat of less than 3° F. Theheater 80 is configured to heat the working fluid such that compressedworking fluid supplied to the gas bearing 16 has a desired amount ofsuperheat. In an embodiment, the desired amount of superheat is at orabout 4° F. or greater than 4° F. In an embodiment, the desired amountof superheat is at or about 4.5° F. or greater than 4.5° F. In anembodiment, the desired amount of superheat is at or about 5° F. orgreater than 5° F.

The heater 80 increases the amount of superheat of the compressedworking fluid supplied to the gas bearing 16 of the compressor 10. Thisgreater amount of superheat prevents the gaseous refrigerant(s) suppliedto the gas bearing 16 from condensing while in the gas bearing 16. In anembodiment, all of the refrigerant(s) in the compressed working fluiddischarged from the outlet 64 of the lubricant stream 60 are entirelygaseous.

In an embodiment, the heater 80 in FIG. 1 is an electric heater.Electricity is supplied to the heater 80 and the heater 80 generatesheat from the supplied electricity which is used to increase thetemperature of the working fluid flowing through the heater 80. In anembodiment, the heat transfer circuit 1 includes a controller 90 and atemperature sensor 92. The temperature sensor 92 is located after theheater 80 and senses the temperature T₁ of the compressed working fluidafter passing through the heater 80. For example, the temperature T₁ isthe temperature of the compressed working fluid at the outlet 64 of thelubricant stream 60. The controller 90 is configured to control theheating provided by the heater 80 to working fluid flowing through theheater 80 so that the working fluid has the desired amount of superheatas described above. The controller 90 may control the amount of heatprovided by the heater 80 to the working fluid based on the temperatureT₁. In an embodiment, electricity is supplied to the heater 80 by thecontroller 90. The controller 90 is configured to supply an amount ofelectricity to the heater 80 so that the heater 80 heats the workingfluid to the temperature corresponding to the desired amount ofsuperheat.

In an embodiment, a minimum amount of working fluid is needed for thegas bearing 16 to adequately support a load. The load may vary dependingon the operating conditions of the compressor 10 (e.g., the compressionratio, volumetric flow rate of working fluid being compressed, or thelike). For example, the amount of working fluid for the gas bearing 16to adequately support its load may be known for each operation conditionof the compressor 10 based on the configuration of the compressor 10and/or previous testing of the compressor 10.

In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 60 includes an optional valve 66and an optional flow sensor 94. In an embodiment, the controller 90operates the optional valve 66 based on the flow sensor 94 so that thelubricant stream 60 provides at least a sufficient amount of workingfluid to the gas bearing 16 for the gas bearing 16 to support its load.In such an embodiment, the optional valve 66 may stop flow through thelubricant stream 60 to the gas bearing 16 once the compressor 10finishes its start up or shutting down. In an embodiment, lubricantstream 60 may configured to passively control the amount of workingfluid that flows through the lubricant stream 60. For example, the inlet62 in an embodiment may be sized so that at least the sufficient amountof the working fluid flows into the lubricant stream 60 from the mainflow path 5 and is supplied to the bearing 16. The size of the inlet 62in an embodiment is based on the pressure of the main flow path 5 at theinlet 62 of the lubricant stream 60 such that the size of the inlet 62and the pressure of the main flow stream 5 at the inlet 62 cause atleast the sufficient amount of working fluid to flow into the lubricantstream 60 from the main flow path 5. In an embodiment, the pressure ofthe main flow stream 5 at the inlet 62 may be the minimum pressure thatoccurs in the main flow stream 5 at the inlet 62 during normal operationof the compressor 10. In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 60 may bepartially or fully incorporated into the housing of the compressor 10.In an embodiment, part or all or the lubricant stream 60 may be locatedexternal to the compressor 10.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 16 may be an aerostatic-hydrostatichybrid bearing that does not utilize external pressurized gas duringnormal operation of the compressor 10. In such an embodiment, thelubricant stream 60 may be configured to stop supplying working fluid tothe gas bearing 16 when the compressor 10 is not starting up and/orshutting down. For example, the controller 190 in an embodiment may beconfigured to close the optional valve 66 when the compressor 10 is notstarting up and/or shutting down.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 101 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 101 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 101 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to theconfiguration of the lubricant stream 160. For example, the heattransfer circuit 101 includes a main flow path 105, a compressor 110with a suction inlet 112, an outlet 114, and at least one gas bearing116; a condenser 130; an expansion device 140; and an evaporator 150.The condenser 130 utilizes a first process fluid PF₁ to cool workingfluid flowing through the condenser 130, and the evaporator 150 utilizesthe working fluid flowing through the evaporator 150 to cool a secondprocess fluid PF₂ similar to the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. Assimilarly discussed regarding the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, theheat transfer circuit 101 in an embodiment may include additionalcomponents than those shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the heattransfer circuit 101 is oil-free and lubricated by the refrigerant(s) ofthe working fluid.

The lubricant stream 160 provides compressed working fluid to a gasbearing 116 of the compressor 110 similar to the lubricant stream 60 inFIG. 1. The lubricant stream 160 includes an inlet 162, an outlet 164,and a heater 180 disposed between the inlet 162 and the outlet 164. Theheater 180 is a heat exchanger that includes a first side 182 and asecond side 184. It should be understood that a “side” in a heatexchanger refers to a separate flow passageway through the heatexchanger, and does not refer to a particular physical orientation.Fluids flowing through the first side 182 and the second side 184 of theheater 180 exchange heat but do not physically mix. Compressed workingfluid enters the lubricant stream 160 through the inlet 162 and exitsthe lubricant stream 160 through the outlet 164. The compressed workingfluid flows through the lubricant stream 160 by flowing from the inlet162 to the heater 180, through the first side 182 of the heater 180, andfrom the heater 180 to the outlet 164. The working fluid flows from theoutlet 164 of the lubricant stream 160 to the gas bearing 116. Thelubricant stream 160 supplying the amount of lubricant to the gasbearing 116 to adequately lubricate the gas bearing 116.

A cooling circuit 170 is configured to cool a heat generating component172. For example, operation of the component 172 causes the heatgenerating component 172 to increase in temperature. In an embodiment,the heat generating component 172 is a variable frequency drive (VFD).For example, the VFD may be for the compressor 110. In anotherembodiment, the heat generating component 172 may be a differentelectronic or mechanical component of the HVACR system that generatesheat during operation and needs cooling. A third process fluid PF₃ flowsthrough the cooling circuit 170 and is a medium for transferring heatfrom the heat generating component 172 and cooling the heat generatingcomponent 172. In an embodiment, the third process fluid PF₃ may be air,water and/or glycol, or the like that is suitable for absorbing heat andtransferring from the component 172 to another fluid (e.g., the workingfluid).

The third process fluid PF₃ flows through the second side 184 of theheater 180. In an embodiment, after being heated by the component 172,the third process fluid PF₃ flows from the component 172 to and througha pump 174, from the pump 174 to the heater 180, through the second side184 of the heater 180, and from the heat 180 back to the component 172.The pump 174 is configured to circulate the third process fluid PF₃through the cooling circuit 170. As the working fluid flows through thefirst side 182 of the heater 180, the working fluid absorbs heat fromthe third process fluid PF₃ in the second side 184, which cools thethird process fluid PF₃. Accordingly, the working fluid flowing throughthe first side 182 is heated as it absorbs heats from the third processfluid PF₃ in the second side 184. The cooled third process fluid PF₃then flows from the heater 180 back to the component 172. In anembodiment, the heater 180 is a heat source of the heat transfer circuit101.

The cooling circuit 170 in FIG. 2 includes the heat generating component172, the pump 174, and the heater 180. However, it should be appreciatedthat the cooling circuit 170 in an embodiment may be modified torelocate or not include the pump 174, and/or to include additionalcomponents such as, for example, valve(s), sensor(s) (e.g., a flowsensor, a temperature sensor), a receiver tank, or the like.

The heat transfer circuit 101 includes a controller 190. In anembodiment, the controller 190 may be the controller of the HVACRsystem. The lubricant stream 160 includes a temperature sensor 192similar to the temperature sensor 92 in FIG. 1. The temperature sensor192 senses the temperature T₁ of the working fluid after passing throughthe heater 180. The controller 190 is configured to control the heatingprovided by the heater 180 to the working fluid flowing through theheater 180 so that the working fluid supplied to the gas bearing 116from the lubricant stream 160 has the desired amount of superheat. Thecontroller 190 may control the amount of heat provided by the heater 180to the working fluid based on the temperature T₁. For example, thecontroller 190 may operate the pump 174 so that the compressed workingfluid provided to the gas bearing 116 by the lubricant stream 160 hasthe desired amount of superheat. The desired amount of superheat can bethe same as disused above regarding the lubricant stream 60 in FIG. 1.In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 160 may also include an auxiliaryheater (e.g., heater 80, heater 280 in FIG. 3, or the like) tosupplement the heater 180.

A portion of the compressed working fluid that is discharged from thecompressor 110 flows into the lubricant stream 160 instead of flowing tothe condenser 130. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 160 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid discharged fromthe compressor 110. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 160 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid compressed by thecompressor 110.

In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 160 may include an optional valve166 and an optional flow sensor 194 that are utilized by the controller190 to control the amount of working fluid flowing through the lubricantstream 160 and supplied to the gas bearing 116 similar to the optionalvalve 66 and flow sensor 94 in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, lubricantstream 160 may configured to passively control the amount of workingfluid that flows through the lubricant stream 160. For example, theinlet 162 in an embodiment may be sized so that at least the sufficientamount of the working fluid for the bearing 116 flows into the lubricantstream 160 from the main flow path 105.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 116 may be an aerostatic-hydrostatichybrid bearing that does not utilize external pressurized gas duringnormal operation of the compressor 110. In such an embodiment, thelubricant stream 160 may be configured to stop supplying working fluidto the gas bearing 116 when the compressor 110 is not starting up and/orshutting down. For example, the controller 190 in an embodiment may beconfigured to close the optional valve 166 when the compressor 110 isnot starting up and/or shutting down.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 201 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 201 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 201 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to theconfiguration of the lubricant stream 260. For example, the heattransfer circuit 201 includes main flow path 205; a compressor 210 witha suction inlet 212, an outlet 214, and at least one gas bearing 216; acondenser 230; an expansion device 240; and an evaporator 250 similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. The condenser 230 utilizes afirst process fluid PF₁ to cool working fluid flowing through thecondenser 230, and the evaporator 250 utilizes the working fluid flowingthrough the evaporator 250 to cool a second process fluid PF2 similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. As similarly discussed regardingthe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, the heat transfer circuit 201 inan embodiment may include additional components than those shown in FIG.3. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 201 is oil-free andlubricated by the refrigerant(s) of the working fluid.

The lubricant stream 260 supplies the compressed working fluid to thegas bearing 216 of the compressor 210 similar to the lubricant stream 60in FIG. 1. The lubricant stream 260 includes an inlet 262, and outlet264, and a heater 280 disposed between the inlet 262 and the outlet 264.The heater 280 is a heat exchanger that includes a first side 282 and asecond side 284. Fluids flowing through the first side 282 and thesecond side 284 of the heater 280 exchange heat but do not physicallymix. Compressed working fluid enters the lubricant stream 260 throughthe inlet 262 and exits the lubricant stream 260 through the outlet 264.The compressed working fluid in the lubricant stream 260 flows from theinlet 262 of the lubricant stream 260 to the heater 280, through thefirst side 282 of the heater 280, and from the heater 280 to outlet 264.The working fluid flows from the outlet 264 of the lubricant stream 260to the gas bearing 216 of the compressor 210 to lubricate the gasbearing 216. In an embodiment, the heater 280 is a heat source of theheat transfer circuit 201.

A cooling circuit 270 is configured to cool a motor 218 of thecompressor 210. A third process PF₃ fluid flows through the coolingcircuit 270 and is a medium for transferring heat from the motor 218 ofthe compressor 210 to cool the motor 218. In an embodiment, the thirdprocess fluid PF₃ may be air, water and/or glycol, or the like that issuitable for absorbing and transferring heat from the motor 218 toanother fluid (e.g., the working fluid). The third process fluid PF₃ mayflow along surfaces of the motor 218 and absorb heat from the motor 218.For example, the motor 218 may include a stator (not shown) and a rotor(not shown) and the third process fluid PF₃ may be directed along thesurfaces of the stator and/or rotor so as to absorb heat from the motor218.

In an embodiment, after being heated by the motor 218, the third processfluid PF₃ flows from motor 218 to the heater 280, through the secondside 284 of the heater 280, from the heater 280 to and through a pump274, and from the pump 274 back to the motor 218. The pump 274 isconfigured to circulate the third process fluid PF₃ through the coolingcircuit 270.

The cooling circuit 270 in FIG. 3 includes the motor 218, the pump 274,and the heater 280. However, it should be appreciated that the coolingcircuit 270 in an embodiment may be modified to move or not include thepump 274, and/or to include additional components such as, for example,valve(s), sensor(s) (e.g., a flow sensor, a temperature sensor), areceiver tank, or the like.

The working fluid flowing through the first side 282 of the heater 280absorbs heat from the third process fluid PF₃ in the second side 284 ofthe heater 280, which cools the third process fluid PF₃. Accordingly,the working fluid flowing through the first side 282 is heated as itabsorbs the heat from the third process fluid PF₃ in the second side284. The cooled third process fluid PF₃ then flows from the heater 280back to the motor 218 of the compressor 210.

The heat transfer circuit 201 includes a controller 290. In anembodiment, the controller 290 may be the controller of the HVACR. Thelubricant stream 260 includes a temperature sensor 292 similar to thetemperature sensor 92 in FIG. 1. The temperature sensor 292 senses thetemperature T₁ of the working fluid after being heated by the heater280. The controller 290 can operate the heater 280 based on thetemperature T₁ so that the working fluid supplied to the gas bearing 216from the lubricant stream 260 has the desired amount of superheat. Forexample, the controller 290 may control operation of the pump 274 sothat the working fluid provided to the gas bearing 216 by the lubricantstream 260 has the desired amount of superheat. The desired amount ofsuperheat can be the same as disused above regarding the lubricantstream 60 in FIG. 1.

A portion of the compressed working fluid that is discharged from thecompressor 210 flows into the lubricant stream 260 instead of flowing tothe condenser 230. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 260 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid discharged fromthe compressor 210. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 260 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid compressed by thecompressor 210. In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 260 may includean optional valve 266 and an optional flow sensor 294 that are utilizedby the controller 290 to control the amount of working fluid flowingthrough the lubricant stream 260 and supplied to the gas bearing 216similar to the valve 66 and flow sensor 94 in FIG. 1. In an embodiment,lubricant stream 260 may configured to passively control the amount ofworking fluid that flows through the lubricant stream 260. For example,the inlet 262 in an embodiment may be sized so that at least thesufficient amount of the working fluid for the bearing 216 flows intothe lubricant stream 260 from the main flow path 205.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 216 may be an aerostatic-hydrostatichybrid bearing that does not utilize external pressurized gas duringnormal operation of the compressor 210. In such an embodiment, thelubricant stream 260 may be configured to stop supplying working fluidto the gas bearing 216 when the compressor 210 is not starting up and/orshutting down. For example, the controller 290 in an embodiment may beconfigured to close the optional valve 266 when the compressor 210 isnot starting up and/or shutting down.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 301 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 301 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 301 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to alubricant stream 360. For example, the heat transfer circuit 301includes main flow path 305; a compressor 310 with a suction inlet 312,an outlet 314, and at least one gas bearing 316; a condenser 330; anexpansion device 340; and an evaporator 350. The condenser 330 utilizesa first process fluid PF₁ to cool working fluid flowing through thecondenser 330, and the evaporator 350 utilizes the working fluid flowingthrough the evaporator 350 to cool a second process fluid PF₂ similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. As similarly discussed regardingthe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, the heat transfer circuit 301 inan embodiment may include additional components than those shown in FIG.4. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit is oil-free andlubricated by the refrigerant(s) of the working fluid.

The lubricant stream 360 supplies compressed working fluid to the gasbearing 316 of the compressor 310. The lubricant stream 360 includes aninlet 362, an outlet 364, an auxiliary compressor 375, and a heater 380.The auxiliary compressor 375 and the heater 380 are disposed between theinlet 362 and the outlet 364. In FIG. 1, the inlet 362 of the lubricantstream 360 is connected to the evaporator 350, and the outlet 364 of thelubricant stream 360 is connected to the compressor 310. In anembodiment, the heater 380 is a heat source of the heat transfer circuit301.

The evaporator 350 includes an inlet 352, a first outlet 354, and asecond outlet 356. After being expanded by the expansion device 340, theworking fluid flows from the expansion device 340 to the inlet 352 ofthe evaporator 350. After entering the evaporator 350 through the inlet352, the working fluid flows through the evaporator 350 and isdischarged from the evaporator 350 through the first outlet 354 and thesecond outlet 356. A majority of the working fluid that enters theevaporator 350 is discharged through the first outlet 354. After beingdischarged from the first outlet 354, the working fluid flows from theevaporator 350 to the suction inlet 312 of the compressor 310. Thelubricant stream 360 receives its working fluid from the evaporator 350.The working fluid discharged from the second outlet 356 flows into theinlet 362 of the lubricant stream 360. The inlet 362 of the lubricantstream 360 is fluidly connected to the second outlet 356 of theevaporator 350. In an embodiment, the inlet 362 of the lubricant stream360 is directly connected to the second outlet 356 of the evaporator350.

In FIG. 4, the inlet 362 of the lubricant stream 360 is connected to theevaporator 350. However, it should be appreciated that the inlet 362 ofthe lubricant stream 360 in an embodiment the inlet 362 may be connectedto the main flow path 305 of the heat transfer circuit 301 after theevaporator 350 and before the compressor 110.

The working fluid enters the lubricant stream 360 through the inlet 362and exits the lubricant stream 360 through the outlet 364. The workingfluid flows through the lubricant stream 360 by flowing from the inlet362 through the auxiliary compressor 375, through a heater 380, and fromthe heater 380 to the outlet 364. In an embodiment, the positions of theauxiliary compressor 375 and the heater 380 in the lubricant stream 360may be reversed. The working fluid flows from the outlet 364 of thelubricant stream 360 to the gas bearing 316 of the compressor 310. Theworking fluid flows from the lubricant stream 360 to the gas bearing 316of the compressor 310 to lubricate the gas bearing 316.

The working fluid flowing through the auxiliary compressor 375 iscompressed to a higher pressure. In an embodiment, the auxiliarycompressor 375 may be a positive displacement or centrifugal compressor.In an embodiment, the auxiliary compressor 375 may be an oil-freecompressor. The auxiliary compressor 375 is configured to compress theworking fluid so that the working fluid provided to the gas bearing 316has an adequate pressure. For example, the pressure and/or amount ofworking fluid necessary for the gas bearing 316 to adequately supportits load may be known for each operating condition of the compressor 310based on the configuration of the compressor 310 and/or previous testingof the compressor 310. The compressed working fluid flows from theauxiliary compressor 375 to the heater 380. The heater 380 heats thecompressed working fluid so that the compressed working fluid has thedesired amount of superheat when supplied to the gas bearing 316. Thedesired amount of superheat can be the same as discussed above regardingthe lubricant stream 60 in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the gas bearing 316of the compressor 310 may be configured to utilize pressurized workingfluid during a shutdown and/or a startup of the compressor 310. Thelubricant stream 360 is able to advantageously provide working fluid atthe pressure and amount for the gas bearing 316 to operate correctlywhen the compressor 310 is shutdown, shutting down, and/or starting up.

In an embodiment, the heater 380 in FIG. 4 is an electric heater thatutilizes electricity to heat working fluid as similarly discussed abovewith respect to the electric heater 80 in FIG. 1. However, it should beappreciated that the heater 380 in an embodiment may be a heat exchangerthat heats the working fluid with a third process fluid (e.g., heater180, heater 280, and the like). For example, third process fluid mayflow through a cooling circuit (e.g., cooling circuit 170, coolingcircuit 270, and the like) and be configured to cool a device in thecooling circuit (e.g., heat generating component 172, motor 218, and thelike).

The heat transfer circuit 301 includes a controller 390. In anembodiment, the controller 390 may be the controller of the HVACR. Thelubricant stream 360 includes a temperature sensor 392 similar to thetemperature sensor 92 in FIG. 1. The temperature sensor 392 senses thetemperature T₂ of the working fluid after being heated by the heater380. The controller 390 is configured to control the heating provided bythe heater 380 to the working fluid flowing through the heater 380 sothat the working fluid supplied to the gas bearing 316 has the desiredamount of superheat. The controller 390 may control the amount of heatprovided by the heater 380 to the working fluid based on the temperatureT₂. The temperature T₂ of the working fluid after passing through heater380 is greater than the temperature T₃ of the working fluid entering thesuction inlet 312 of the compressor 310.

A portion of the working fluid that enters the evaporator 350 flows intothe lubricant stream 360 instead of exiting the evaporator 350 andflowing into the suction inlet 312 of the compressor 310. In anembodiment, at or about 0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the workingfluid that enters the evaporator 350 flows into the lubricant stream360. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressed working fluid thatflows into the lubricant stream 360 is at or about 0.2% to at or about5% by volume of the working fluid compressed by the compressor 310. Inan embodiment, the lubricant stream 360 may include an optional valve366 and optional flow sensor 394 that are utilized by the controller 390to control the amount of working fluid flowing through the lubricantstream 360 and supplied to the gas bearing 316 similar to the optionalvalve 66 and flow sensor 94 in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, the auxiliarycompressor 375 may be variable speed and the controller 390 may controlspeed of the auxiliary compressor 375 to control the amount of workingfluid 360 supplied to the gas bearing 316. In an embodiment, lubricantstream 360 may configured to passively control the amount of workingfluid that flows through the lubricant stream 360. For example, theinlet 362 in an embodiment may be sized so that at least the sufficientamount of the working fluid for the bearing 316 flows into the lubricantstream 360 from evaporator 350. In an embodiment, the auxiliarycompressor 375 may be sized so that the lubricant stream 360 provides atleast the sufficient amount of the working fluid to the gas bearing 316.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 316 may be an aerostatic-hydrostatichybrid bearing that does not utilize external pressurized gas duringnormal operation of the compressor 310. In such an embodiment, thelubricant stream 360 may be configured to stop supplying working fluidto the gas bearing 316 when the compressor 310 is not starting up and/orshutting down. For example, the controller 390 in an embodiment may beconfigured to close the optional valve 366 when the compressor 310 isnot starting up and/or shutting down. For example, the controller 390 inan embodiment may be configured to shut-down the auxiliary compressor375 when the compressor 310 is not starting up and/or shutting down

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 401 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 401 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 401 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to the heater480. For example, the heat transfer circuit 401 includes a main flowpath 405; a compressor 410 with a suction inlet 412, an outlet 414, andat least one gas bearing 416; a condenser 430; an expansion device 440;and an evaporator 450. The condenser 430 utilizes a first process fluidPF₁ to cool working fluid flowing through the condenser 430, and theevaporator 450 utilizes the working fluid flowing through the evaporator450 to cool a second process fluid PF₂ similar to the heat transfercircuit 1 in FIG. 1. As similarly discussed above regarding the heattransfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, the heat transfer circuit 401 in anembodiment may include additional components than those shown in FIG. 5.In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 401 is oil-free andlubricated by the refrigerant(s) of the working fluid.

The lubricant stream 460 supplies compressed working fluid to the gasbearing 416 of the compressor 410 similar to the lubricant stream 60 inFIG. 1. The lubricant stream includes an inlet 462 and an outlet 464.The inlet 462 of the lubricant stream 460 connects to the main flow path405 of the heat transfer circuit 401 between the compressor 410 and thecondenser 430. A portion of the compressed working fluid that isdischarged from the compressor 410 flows into the lubricant stream 460instead of flowing to the condenser 430. The lubricant stream 460supplies the portion of compressed working fluid to the gas bearing 416of the compressor 410 to lubricate the gas bearing 416.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heater 480 is located between the evaporator 450and the compressor 410. After being heated in the evaporator 450, theworking fluid discharged by the evaporator 450 flows from the evaporator450 to the heater 480. The working fluid flows through the heater 480and is further heated. The working fluid then flows from heater 480 tothe suction inlet 412 of the compressor 410. The working fluid iscompressed by the compressor 410 as it flows through the compressor 410,and compressed working fluid is discharged from the outlet 414 of thecompressor 410.

The heater 480 is configured to heat the working fluid provided to thecompressor 410 such that the compressed working fluid provided to thegas bearing 416 by the lubricant stream 460 has the desired superheat.As discussed above, the working fluid increases in temperature as theworking fluid undergoes compression in the compressor 410. Thetemperature T₅ of the working fluid discharged from the compressor 410is greater than the temperature T₆ of the working fluid entering thesuction inlet 412 of the compressor 110. In an embodiment, the workingfluid discharged from the outlet 414 of the compressor 410 has thedesired amount of superheat while the working fluid after the heater 480and before the compressor 410 does not have the desired amount ofsuperheat. The desired amount of superheat can be the same as discussedabove regarding the lubricant stream 60 in FIG. 1. In an embodiment, theheater 480 is a source of the heat transfer circuit 401.

The heat transfer circuit 401 includes a controller 490. In anembodiment, the controller 490 may be the controller of the HVACR. Thecontroller 490 controls the heater 480. The controller 490 controls theamount of heat provided by the heater 480 to the working fluid flowingthrough the heater 480 so that the working fluid supplied to the gasbearing 416 from the lubricant stream 460 has the desired amount ofsuperheat. The temperature T₅ of the working fluid supplied to the gasbearing 416 (e.g., the temperature of the working fluid at the outlet464) may be determined directly or indirectly. In an embodiment, thelubricant stream 460 includes a temperature sensor 492 that senses thetemperature T₅ of the working fluid flowing through the lubricant stream460. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 492 may be located in thelubricant stream 460, at the outlet 414 of the compressor 410, orbetween the outlet 414 of the compressor 410 and the inlet 462 of thelubricant stream 460. In an embodiment, a temperature sensor 496 islocated after the heater 480 and before the compressor 410 and sensesthe temperature T₆ of the working fluid discharged from the heater 480.For example, the temperature T₅ of the working fluid supplied from thelubricant stream 460 may be determined based on the temperature T₆. Thecontroller 492 may control the amount of heat provided by the heater 480to the working fluid based on at least one of the temperature T₅ and thetemperature T₆.

A portion of the compressed working fluid that is discharged from thecompressor 410 flows into the lubricant stream 460 instead of flowing tothe condenser 430. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 460 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid discharged fromthe compressor 410. In an embodiment, the portion of the compressedworking fluid that flows into the lubricant stream 460 is at or about0.2% to at or about 5% by volume of the working fluid compressed by thecompressor 410.

In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 460 may include an optional valve466 and an optional flow sensor flow sensor 494 that are utilized by thecontroller 490 to control the amount of working fluid flowing throughthe lubricant stream 460 and supplied to the gas bearing 416 similar tothe optional valve 66 and the flow sensor 94 in FIG. 1. In anembodiment, lubricant stream 460 may configured to passively control theamount of working fluid that flows through the lubricant stream 460. Forexample, the inlet 462 in an embodiment may be sized so that at leastthe sufficient amount of the working fluid for the gas bearing 416 flowsinto the lubricant stream 460 from the main flow path 405.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 416 may be an aerostatic-hydrostatichybrid bearing that does not utilize external pressurized gas duringnormal operation of the compressor 410. In such an embodiment, thelubricant stream 460 may be configured to stop supplying working fluidto the gas bearing 416 when the compressor 410 is not starting up and/orshutting down. For example, the controller 490 in an embodiment may beconfigured to close the optional valve 466 when the compressor 410 isnot starting up and/or shutting down.

In an embodiment, the heater 480 in FIG. 5 is an electric heater thatutilizes electricity to heat the working fluid as similarly discussedabove for the heater 80 in FIG. 1. However, it should be appreciatedthat the heater 480 in an embodiment may be a heat exchanger that heatsthe working fluid with a third process fluid (e.g., heater 180, heater280, and the like). For example, the third process fluid may flowthrough a cooling circuit (e.g., cooling circuit 170, cooling circuit270, and the like) and cool one or more devices that need cooling (e.g.,heat generating component 172, motor 218, and the like).

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 501 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 501 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 501 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to alubricant stream 560. For example, the heat transfer circuit 501includes a main flow path 505; a compressor 510 with a suction inlet512, an outlet 514, and at least one gas bearing 516; a condenser 530;an expansion device 540; an evaporator 550; and a controller 590. Thecondenser 530 utilizes a first process fluid PF₁ to cool the workingfluid flowing through the condenser 530, and the evaporator 550 utilizesthe working fluid flowing through the evaporator 550 to cool a secondprocess fluid PF₂ similar to the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. Assimilarly discussed regarding the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, theheat transfer circuit 501 in an embodiment may include additionalcomponents than those shown in FIG. 6. In an embodiment, the controller590 may be the controller of the HVACR system. In an embodiment, theheat transfer circuit 501 is oil-free and lubricated by therefrigerant(s) of the working fluid.

In an embodiment, an aerostatic gas bearing needs compressed gas at aminimum pressure and/or flowrate to provide support (e.g., to support ashaft of the compressor 510). In an embodiment, anaerodynamic-aerostatic hybrid gas bearing needs compressed gas at aminimum pressure and/or flowrate to provide support until the shaftreaches a specific rotational speed. The amount of compressed gas,minimum pressure for the compressed gas, and/or the specific shaftrotational speed for a gas bearing to provide support are dependent uponthe configuration of the specific aerostatic or aerodynamic-aerostatichybrid gas bearing. When not provided with at least the minimum pressureof gas, the minimum amount of gas, and/or the shaft is rotating belowthe specific rotational speed, the gas bearing contacts its opposingsurface (e.g., an outer surface of a shaft of the compressor, a surfaceof the housing of the compressor, or the like) which leads to wearand/or damage of the gas bearing.

The lubricant stream 560 supplies compressed working fluid to the gasbearing 516 of the compressor 510. The lubricant stream 560 includes afirst inlet 562A, an outlet 564, an optional valve 567A, an auxiliarycompressor 575, and an optional tank 577. The first inlet 562A, theauxiliary compressor 575, and the optional tank 577 are configured tosupply compressed gaseous working fluid to the gas bearing 516 duringstart-up and/or shutdown of the compressor 510.

The auxiliary compressor 575 during a start-up and/or shutdown of thecompressor 510 suctions and compresses gaseous working fluid from theevaporator 550 via the inlet 562A. In an embodiment, the compressedgaseous working fluid flows from the auxiliary compressor 575 to theoutlet 564 and is supplied to the gas bearing 516 of the compressor 510until the compressor completes its start-up. In an embodiment, theauxiliary compressor 575 supplies compressed gaseous working fluid tothe gas bearing 510 during a shutdown of the compressor 510 until thecompressor 510 is shutdown (e.g., until a shaft of the compressor 510 isno longer rotating). The auxiliary compressor 575 generates thecompressed gaseous working fluid used by the gas bearing 516 during theshutdown and/or startup of the compressor 510.

In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 560 includes an optional tank 577and an optional valve 567A. The tank 577 is between the auxiliarycompressor 575 and the outlet 564 of the lubricant stream 560. The valve567A is between the tank 577 and the outlet of the lubricant stream 560.The optional tank 577 and optional valve 567A are used for charging aspecific amount of compressed gaseous working fluid in the tank 577 foruse during a shutdown and/or startup of the compressor 560. In anembodiment, the auxiliary compressor 575 discharges compressed gaseousworking fluid into the tank 577. The valve 567A is closed such that theworking fluid builds up and is compressed within the tank 577. The valve567A is opened once the tank 577 contains compressed gaseous workingfluid that is sufficient to supply the gas bearing 516 with its minimumamount and pressure of compressed gas to operate until the shutdown orstartup is completed. The compressed gaseous working fluid then flowsfrom the tank 577 to the outlet 564 of the lubricant stream 560 and issupplied to the gas bearing 516 from the lubricant stream 560. In anembodiment, the optional valve 567A is controlled by the controller 590.In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 501 includes an optionalpressure sensor 592 that is utilized by the controller 590 to detect thepressure of the working fluid in the tank 577.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary compressor 575 has a smaller capacitythan the compressor 510. In an embodiment, the lower efficiency of theauxiliary compressor 575 results in a greater heating of the compressedworking fluid discharged from the auxiliary compressor 575. In anembodiment, this greater heating may provide the compressed workingfluid with an increased superheat as similarly discussed above. In anembodiment, the auxiliary compressor 575 is a heat source of the heattransfer circuit 501.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 516 is a hybridaerostatic-hydrodynamic bearing. The lubricant stream 560 providescompressed gaseous working fluid to the gas bearing 516 until the shaft(e.g., shaft 720 in FIG. 8) is rotating at the minimum speed for thehybrid aerostatic-hydrodynamic gas bearing 516 to provide support.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 516 is an aerostatic bearing, and thelubricant stream 560 includes an optional inlet line 569 with anoptional second inlet 562B and an optional valve 567B. Once thecompressor 510 is able to generate sufficient compressed gaseous workingfluid for the aerostatic gas bearing 516 (e.g., when the compressor isnot shutting down or starting up), a portion of the gaseous compressedworking fluid enters the lubricant stream 560 from the main flow path505 via the second inlet 562B. The portion of the gaseous compressedworking fluid is then supplied to the aerostatic gas bearing 516 by thelubricant stream. The valve 567B prevents the compressed working fluiddischarged from the auxiliary compressor 575 from flowing into the mainflow path 505. In an embodiment, the valve 567B may be a check valve ora control valve operated by the controller 590.

In an embodiment, the optional inlet line 569 may have a configurationsimilar to the lubricant stream 60 in FIG. 1, the lubricant stream 160in FIG. 2, or the lubricant stream 260 in FIG. 3. For example, thelubricant stream 560 may also include a heater (e.g., heater 80, 180,280) located between the optional second inlet 562B and the outlet 564of the lubricant stream 560 to increase the superheat of the gaseousworking fluid flowing from the second inlet 562B to the outlet 564. Inan embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 501 may include a heater (e.g.,heater 480) disposed between the evaporator 550 and the suction inlet512 of the compressor 510 similar to the heat transfer circuit 401 inFIG. 5.

In FIG. 6, the first inlet 562A of the lubricant stream 560 is connectedto the main flow path 505 between the evaporator 550 and the suctioninlet 512 of the compressor 510. However, it should be appreciated thatthe first inlet 562A of the lubricant stream 560 in an embodiment may befluidly connected to a motor housing 519 for the motor 518 of thecompressor 510 (shown as 562A′ in FIG. 6). Working fluid may becirculated through the motor housing 519 and along the motor 518 to coolthe motor 518 as similarly discussed above with respect to FIG. 3. In anembodiment, the first inlet 562A′ is fluidly connected to the motorhousing 519 and the working fluid suctioned by the auxiliary compressor575 is from the motor housing 519 instead of from between the evaporator550 and the compressor 510. For example, this configuration canadvantageously avoid generating a pressure difference between the gasbearing 516 and the evaporator 550 and/or suction inlet 512. The motor518 and motor housing 519 are shown in FIG. 6 as internal to thecompressor 510 in FIG. 6. However, it should be appreciated that themotor 518 and motor housing 519 may be externally attached to thecompressor 510 in an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 601 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 601 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 601 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to alubricant stream 660. For example, the heat transfer circuit 601includes a main flow path 605; a compressor 610 with a suction inlet612, an outlet 614, and at least one gas bearing 616; a condenser 630;an expansion device 640; an evaporator 650; and a controller 690. Thecondenser 630 utilizes a first process fluid PF₁ to cool working fluidflowing through the condenser 630, and the evaporator 650 utilizes theworking fluid flowing through the evaporator 650 to cool a secondprocess fluid PF₂ similar to the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. Inan embodiment, the controller 690 may be the controller of a HVACRsystem. As similarly discussed regarding the heat transfer circuit 1 inFIG. 1, the heat transfer circuit 601 in an embodiment may includeadditional components than those shown in FIG. 7. In an embodiment, theheat transfer circuit 601 is oil-free and lubricated by therefrigerant(s) of the working fluid.

The lubricant stream 660 supplies compressed working fluid to the gasbearing 616 of the compressor 610. The lubricant stream 660 includes aninlet 662A, an outlet 664, a tank 677, a valve 667A, a pump 665, and aheater 680. In an embodiment, the inlet 662A of the lubricant stream 660is connected to the main flow path 605 at the condenser 630. The inlet662A of the lubricant stream 660 is connected to and receives workingfluid from the condenser 630.

In an embodiment, when the compressor 610 is to be started up, a pump665 is configured to pump liquid working fluid from the condenser 630into the tank 677. After a predetermined amount of working fluid ispumped into the tank 677, a heater 680 heats the liquid working fluid inthe tank 677 until the liquid working fluid begins to vaporize. Thevalve 667A is closed causing the gaseous working fluid to be compressedwithin the tank 677. Once the compressed gaseous working fluid in thetank 677 reaches a predetermined pressure, the valve 667A is opened andcompressed gaseous working fluid flows from the tank 677 to the outlet664 of the lubricant stream 660. The lubricant stream 660 supplies thecompressed gaseous working fluid to the gas bearing 616 of thecompressor 610. The predetermined pressure of gaseous working fluid is apressure that allows the lubricant stream 660 to supply a sufficientcompressed gaseous working fluid to the gas bearing 616 for the gasbearing 616 to provide support, for example, until the compressor 610completes its startup. For example, the predetermined amount of liquidworking fluid is an amount that allows for the tank to build thesufficient amount and pressure of compressed gaseous working fluid forthe gas bearing 616. In an embodiment, a controller 690 may utilize oneor more sensors 692 to detect the pressure, temperature, and/or liquidlevel of fluid within the tank 677.

In an embodiment, the gas bearing 616 may be an aerostatic bearing thatneeds a continuous stream of compressed gas to provide support. Thelubricant stream 660 may include an optional second inlet 662B forsupplying compressed gaseous working fluid to the aerostatic gas bearing616 from the compressor 610 when the compressor is dischargingsufficient compressed gaseous working fluid (e.g., not during a shutdownor startup of the compressor 610). In an embodiment, the lubricantstream 660 may include an optional valve 667B to prevent fluid fromflowing from the tank 677 into the main flow path 605 through theoptional second inlet 662B. For example, the optional valve 667B may bea check valve or a control valve operated by the controller 690. In anembodiment, a portion of the compressed working fluid discharged fromthe outlet 614 of the compressor 610 flows into the lubricant stream 660through the second inlet 662B. The heater 680 then heats the compressedgaseous working fluid flowing through the lubricant stream 660 so thatthe compressed gaseous working fluid provided to the gas bearing 616 hasa higher superheat as similarly discussed above regarding the lubricantstream 60 in FIG. 1.

The heater 680 is a heat source of the heat transfer circuit 601 in anembodiment. In an embodiment, the heater 680 is an electric heater. Inan embodiment, the heater 680 is a heat exchanger that utilizes a thirdprocess fluid (e.g., third process fluid PF3 in FIG. 2). In anembodiment, the heat transfer circuit 601 may include a heater disposedbetween the evaporator 650 and the suction inlet 612 of the compressor610 in the main flow path 605 similar to the heat transfer circuit 401in FIG. 5 (e.g., heater 480).

In an embodiment, the lubricant stream 660 may include a thermoelectriccooler 668 instead of the pump 665 to add liquid working fluid to thetank 677. The thermoelectric cooler 668 is able to provide coolingutilizing electricity. In an embodiment, the controller 690 supplieselectricity to the thermoelectric cooler 668 and the thermoelectriccooler 668 cools the fluid within the tank 677 using the suppliedelectricity. The thermoelectric cooler 668 is located within the tank677 and is configured to condense gaseous working fluid within the tank677. As the gaseous working fluid is condensed in the tank 677, moregaseous working fluid is suctioned into the tank 677 and condensed. Insuch an embodiment, the inlet 662A of the lubricant stream 660 isconnected to the main flow path 605 before the condenser 630 and afterthe suction inlet 612 of the compressor 610 instead of to the condenser630. For example, in such an embodiment, the lubricant stream 660 mayinclude the inlet 662B instead of the inlet 662A, or the inlet 662A maybe connected to the final stage S_(L) of the compressor 610 instead ofthe condenser 630. The thermoelectric cooler 668 remains on until thetank 677 contains at least the predetermined amount of liquid workingfluid as similarly discussed above regarding the pump 665. In anembodiment, the controller 690 controls the thermoelectric cooler 668.

The description provided above for the heat transfer circuits 1, 101,201, 301, 401, 501, 601 is described with respect to single gas bearingfor clarity. However, it should be understood that a compressor mayinclude multiple gas bearings (e.g., multiple radial gas bearings,multiple thrust gas bearings, a combination of thrust and radial gasbearings, and the like). In an embodiment, a compressor (e.g.,compressor 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) may include multiple gasbearings, and the lubricant stream (e.g., lubricant stream 60, 160, 260,360, 460, 560, 660) supplies compressed gaseous working fluid to each ofthe gas bearings to sufficiently lubricate each of the gas bearings.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a heat transfer circuit 701 accordingto an embodiment. In an embodiment, the heat transfer circuit 701 may beemployed in an HVACR system. The heat transfer circuit 701 is similar tothe heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, except with respect to alubricant stream 760 and the internal configuration of the compressor710. For example, the heat transfer circuit 701 includes a main flowpath 705; the compressor 710 with a suction inlet 712, an outlet 714,and at least one gas bearing 716A, 716B, 716C; a condenser 730; anexpansion device 740; an evaporator 750; and a controller 790. Thecondenser 730 utilizes a first process fluid PF₁ to cool working fluidflowing through the condenser 730, and the evaporator 750 utilizes theworking fluid flowing through the evaporator 750 to cool a secondprocess fluid PF₂ similar to the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1. Inan embodiment, the controller 790 may be the controller of a HVACRsystem. As similarly discussed regarding the heat transfer circuit 1 inFIG. 1, the heat transfer circuit 701 in an embodiment may includeadditional components than those shown in FIG. 8. In an embodiment, theheat transfer circuit 701 is oil-free and lubricated by therefrigerant(s) of the working fluid.

The compressor 710 includes a motor 718 configured to rotate a shaft720. An impeller 722 is attached to an end of the shaft 720. As theshaft 720 rotates, the impeller 722 is rotated and compresses theworking fluid. As shown in FIG. 8, the compressor 710 has a housing 711that is both the housing for the compressor 710 and for the motor 718.However, the motor 718 in an embodiment may be external to thecompressor 710. In an embodiment, the motor 718 may include a housingseparate from the housing 711 of the compressor 710.

The lubricant stream 760 supplies compressed working fluid to the gasbearings 716A, 716B, 716C of the compressor 710. The lubricant stream760 includes an inlet 762 and an outlet 764. A portion of the compressedgaseous working fluid in the main flow path 705 and discharged from thecompressor 710 enters the lubricant stream 760 through the inlet 762.The lubricant stream 760 supplies the compressed gaseous working fluidto the gas bearings 716A, 716B, 716C of the compressor 710 via theoutlet 764 of the lubricant stream 760. The lubricant stream 760 isshown in FIG. 8 extending outside of the housing 711 of the compressor710. However, the lubricant stream 760 in an embodiment may beincorporated into the housing 711 of the compressor 710.

The lubricant stream 760 supplies compressed gaseous working fluid tothe gas bearing 716A to lubricate the gas bearing 716A. The gaseousworking fluid expands as the gaseous working fluid flows through the gasbearing 716A. This expansion causes the gaseous working fluid to cool,which also cools the gas bearing 716A. The compressor 710 includes aheater 780A that heats a first gas bearing 716A. The heater 780Aprevents the gas bearing 716A from reaching a temperature that wouldresult in the gaseous working fluid condensation within the gas bearing716A. For example, if the cooling of the gas bearing 716A is notinhibited, the gas bearing 716A can cool the gaseous working fluid as itflows through the gas bearing 716A causing the gaseous working fluid tocondense within the gas bearing 716A. The heater 780A is shown asattached to the gas bearing 716A. However, the heater 780 may beincorporated into the gas bearing 716A in an embodiment.

In an embodiment, the controller 790 controls the amount of heatprovided by the heater 780A to the gas bearing 716A. A temperaturesensor 792A detects the temperature T₇ of the gas bearing 716A. In anembodiment, the temperatures sensor 792A is a thermocouple. In anembodiment, the controller 790 controls the amount of heat provided bythe heater 780A to the gas bearing 716A. The amount of heat provided bythe heater 780A to the gas bearing 716A at least maintaining the gasbearing 716A at a predetermined temperature T₇. The predeterminedtemperature T₇ prevents the gaseous working fluid provided to the gasbearing 716A reaching a temperature at which it condenses while flowingthrough the gas bearing 716A. The predetermined temperature T₇ is at orabout 4° F. or greater than 4° F. then the dew temperature of theworking fluid in the gas bearing 716A. The predetermined temperature T₇is at or about 4.5° F. or greater than 4.5° F. then the dew temperatureof the working fluid in the gas bearing 716A. The predeterminedtemperature T₇ is at or about 5° F. or greater than 5° F. then the dewtemperature of the working fluid in the gas bearing 716A

The compressor 710 includes a second gas bearing 716B with a secondheater 780B and a third gas bearing 716C with a third heater 780C. Eachof the second and third heaters 780B, 780C are configured to heat theirrespective gas bearing 716B, 716C in a similar manner as described forthe first gas bearing 716A and first heater 780A. In an embodiment, thecompressor 710 includes a temperature sensor 792B for detecting atemperature T₈ of the second gas bearing 716B and a temperature sensor792C for detecting a temperature T₉ the third gas bearing 716C. Thecontroller 790 may control the amount of heat provided by each heater780B, 780C to its respective gas bearing 716B, 716C similar to the firstheater 780A and the first gas bearing 716A. In an embodiment, each ofthe heaters 780A, 780B, 780C is a heat source of the heat transfercircuit 701.

The compressor 710 shown in FIG. 8 includes three gas bearings 716A,716B, 716C. However, the compressor 710 in an embodiment may have adifferent number of bearings than three. In an embodiment, thecompressor 710 may have a single gas bearing 716A, 716B, 716C. In anembodiment, the compressor 710 may have one or more gas bearings 716A,716B, 716C. In an embodiment, the compressor 710 may have at least onethrust gas bearing 716A and at least one radial gas bearing 716B, 716C.The compressor 710 shown in FIG. 8 is a single stage compressor.However, the compressor 710 in an embodiment may include multiplestages.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method 800 of supplyinglubricant to at least one gas bearing of a compressor in a heat transfercircuit. For example, method 800 may be for supplying lubricant to thegas bearing in the heat transfer circuit 1 in FIG. 1, in the heattransfer circuit 101 in FIG. 2, in the heat transfer circuit 201 in FIG.3, in the heat transfer circuit 301 in FIG. 4, in the heat transfercircuit 401 in FIG. 5, or in the heat transfer circuit 601 of FIG. 7.The lubricant for the gas bearing is a portion of the working fluidflowing in the heat transfer circuit. In an embodiment, the heattransfer circuit is employed in an HVACR system. The method 800 startsat 810.

At 810, a working fluid is heated in an evaporator (e.g., evaporator 50,150, 250, 350, 450, 650). The evaporator heats the working fluid with aprocess fluid (e.g., second process fluid PF₂). The working fluid andthe process fluid separately flow through the evaporator and are in aheat transfer relationship. The process fluid flowing through theevaporator is cooled as the working fluid flowing through the evaporatorabsorbs heat from the process fluid. The method 800 then proceeds to820.

At 820, at least a portion of the working fluid heated in the evaporatoris compressed and further heated. The at least a portion of the workingfluid is further heated by a heater (e.g., heater 80, 180, 280, 380,480, 680). The at least a portion of the working fluid is compressed bya compressor (e.g., compressor 10, 110, 210, 410) or an auxiliarycompressor (e.g., auxiliary compressor 375).

In an embodiment, 820 includes compressing the working fluid heated inthe evaporator with the compressor, then further heating a portion ofthe compressed working fluid in the heater (e.g., heat transfer circuit1, 101, 201, 601). The remaining portion of the working fluid may flowto a condenser (e.g., condenser 30, 130, 230, 630). In an embodiment,820 includes compressing a portion of the working fluid heated in theevaporator with the auxiliary compressor and heating the portion of theworking fluid with the heater (e.g., heat transfer circuit 301). Theportion of the working fluid may be first compressed by the auxiliarycompressor then heated with the heater. Alternatively, the portion ofthe working fluid may be heated with the heater then compressed with theauxiliary compressor. The remaining portion of the working fluid heatedin the evaporator is compressed by the compressor. The method 800 thenproceeds to 830.

At 830, the compressed working fluid that has been heated by the heateris supplied to the gas bearing (e.g., gas bearing 16, 116, 216, 316,416, 616) of the compressor (e.g., compressor 10, 110, 210, 310, 410,610). The compressed working fluid is supplied to the gas bearing as thelubricant for the gas bearing. The working fluid is heated by the heaterso as to have a desired amount of superheat. The desired superheat maybe the same as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

In an embodiment, the method 800 may be modified based on the heattransfer circuit 1, the heat transfer circuit 101, the heat transfercircuit 201, the heat transfer circuit 301, the heat transfer circuit401, and the heat transfer circuit 610 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 7 andas described above. For example, the method 800 in an embodiment mayinclude the heater utilizing another process fluid (e.g., the thirdprocess fluid PF₃ discussed above) to heat the working fluid flowingthrough the heater, condensing working fluid with a condenser (e.g.,condenser 30, 130, 230, 330, 430, 630), and/or expanding the workingfluid with an expansion device (e.g., expansion device 40, 140, 240,340, 440, 640).

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method 900 of supplyinglubricant to at least one gas bearing of a compressor in a heat transfercircuit during at least one of startup and shutdown of a compressor. Forexample, method 900 may be for supplying lubricant to the gas bearing inthe heat transfer circuit 501 in FIG. 6, or in the heat transfer circuit601 in FIG. 7. The lubricant supplied to the gas bearing is a portion ofthe working fluid flowing in the heat transfer circuit. In anembodiment, the heat transfer circuit is employed in an HVACR system.The method 900 starts at 910.

At the 910, working fluid is suctioned into a lubricant stream (e.g.,lubricant stream 560, 660) from a main flow path of the heat transfercircuit (e.g., main flow path 505, 605). In an embodiment, gaseousworking fluid is suctioned at 910 from an evaporator (e.g., evaporator550) or a motor housing (e.g., motor housing 519) of the compressor(e.g., compressor 510) by an auxiliary compressor 575. In an embodiment,the working fluid is suctioned at 910 into a tank (e.g., tank 677) froma condenser (e.g., condenser 630) by a pump (e.g., pump 665) or from alast stage of a compressor (e.g., compressor 610) by a thermoelectriccooling device (e.g., thermoelectric cooling device 668). The method 900then proceeds to 920.

At 920, compressed gaseous working fluid is generated within thelubricant stream from the suctioned working fluid. The compressedgaseous working fluid is supplied to at least one gas bearing of thecompressor (e.g., gas bearing 516, 616). The compressed working fluidgenerated within the lubricant stream is supplied to the gas bearinguntil the compressor completes its startup and or is shutdown.

In an embodiment, an auxiliary compressor (e.g., auxiliary compressor575) compresses the suctioned gaseous working fluid to generatecompressed gaseous working fluid. In an embodiment, a heater (e.g.,heater 680) vaporizes the suctioned liquid working fluid within a tankof the lubricant stream (e.g., tank 677). The gaseous working fluidbecomes compressed as the heater vaporizes more liquid working fluid.The compressed gaseous working fluid is then supplied to the gas bearingof the compressor until the compressor completes its startup and/or isshutdown.

In an embodiment, the method 900 may be modified based on the heattransfer circuit 501 and the heat transfer circuit 601 as shown in FIGS.6 and 7 and as described above.

Aspects:

Any of aspects 1-17 can be combined with any of aspects 18-24, and anyof aspects 18-20 can be combined with any of aspects 21-24.

Aspect 1. A heat transfer circuit, comprising:

-   -   a compressor for compressing a working fluid, the compressor        including a gas bearing;    -   a condenser for cooling the working fluid with a first process        fluid;    -   an expander for expanding the working fluid;    -   an evaporator for heating the working fluid with a second        process fluid;    -   a main flow path of the working fluid extending from the        compressor through the condenser, the expander, the evaporator,        and back to the compressor;    -   a lubricant stream including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet        receiving a portion of the working fluid from the main flow path        and the outlet supplying the portion of the working fluid to the        gas bearing of the compressor, the portion of the working fluid        includes one or more refrigerants that are each gaseous at the        outlet of the lubricant stream; and    -   a heat source configured to increase one of a temperature of the        working fluid flowing through the outlet of the lubricant stream        and a temperature of the gas bearing.        Aspect 2. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 1, wherein the        portion of the working fluid supplied to the gas bearing from        the lubricant stream has a superheat of at or about 4.0° F. or        greater than 4.0° F.        Aspect 3. The heat transfer circuit of either one of aspects 1        or 2, wherein the lubricant stream includes the heat generating        component, and the portion of the working fluid at the inlet of        the lubricant stream has a superheat of less than 4.0° F.        Aspect 4. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 1-3,        wherein superheat of the portion of the working fluid supplied        to the gas bearing is at or about 5.0° F. or greater than 5.0°        F.        Aspect 5. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 1-4,        wherein the inlet of the lubricant stream connects to the main        flow path at the evaporator or after the evaporator and before        the condenser.        Aspect 6. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 1-5,        wherein the inlet of the lubricant stream connects to the main        flow path after the compressor and before the condenser.        Aspect 7. The heat transfer circuit of anyone of aspects 1-6,        wherein the heat source is a heater.        Aspect 8. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 7, wherein the        heater is an electric heater.        Aspect 9. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 7, wherein the        heater is a heat exchanger, the working fluid and a third        process fluid flowing separately through the heater, the third        process fluid heating the working fluid as the working fluid and        the third process fluid flow through the heater.        Aspect 10. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 9, further        comprising:    -   a cooling circuit including the heater and the third process        fluid flowing through the cooling circuit.        Aspect 11. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 10, wherein the        cooling circuit includes one of a variable frequency drive and a        motor of the compressor, the third process fluid cooling the one        of the variable frequency drive and the motor of the compressor.        Aspect 12. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 7-11,        wherein    -   the lubricant stream includes a tank and a thermoelectric        cooler, the heater and the thermoelectric cooler disposed within        the tank,    -   the thermoelectric cooler and the thermoelectric cooler        configured to generate compressed gaseous working fluid within        the tank for the lubricant stream to supply to the gas bearing,        the compressed gaseous working fluid generated by the        thermoelectric cooler condensing the portion of the working        fluid and the heater vaporizing the condensed working fluid.        Aspect 13. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 1, wherein the        heat source is a heater attached to or a part of the gas        bearing.        Aspect 14. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 1-13,        wherein the lubricant stream includes an auxiliary compressor        configured to compress the portion of the working fluid flowing        through lubricant stream, the inlet of the lubricant stream        connected to one of the evaporator, between the evaporator and        the compressor, or a motor housing of the compressor.        Aspect 15. The heat transfer circuit of aspect 14, wherein the        auxiliary compressor is the heat generating source.        Aspect 16. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 1-15,        wherein the one or more refrigerants include an HFO refrigerant.        Aspect 17. The heat transfer circuit of any one of aspects 1-16,        wherein the compressor is an oil-free compressor.        Aspect 18. A method of supplying lubricant to a gas bearing of a        compressor in a heat transfer circuit, the heat transfer circuit        including the compressor, a condenser, an expander, an        evaporator, and a heater, a working fluid flowing through the        heat transfer circuit, the method comprising:    -   heating the working fluid in the evaporator with a process        fluid;    -   compressing and further heating at least a portion of the        working fluid heated in the evaporator, the further heating        including the heater heating the portion of the working fluid        heated in the evaporator, and the compressing including one of        the compressor and an auxiliary compressor compressing the        portion of the working fluid heated in the evaporator; and    -   supplying the compressed and further heated portion of the        working fluid to the gas bearing of the compressor as the        lubricant.        Aspect 19. The method of aspect 18, wherein the compressed and        further heated portion of the working fluid supplied to gas        bearing has a superheat of at or about 4.0° F. or greater than        4.0° F.        Aspect 20. The method of either one of aspects 18 or 19, wherein        the compressing includes the compressor compressing the working        fluid heated in the evaporator, and the portion of the working        fluid heated by the heater is a portion of the working fluid        compressed by the compressor.        Aspect 21. A method of supplying lubricant to a gas bearing of a        compressor in a heat transfer circuit, the heat transfer circuit        including the compressor, a condenser, an expander, an        evaporator, and a heat source, a working fluid flowing through        the heat transfer circuit, a main flow path of the working fluid        extending from the compressor through the condenser, the        expander, the evaporator, and back to the compressor, the method        comprising:    -   suctioning a portion of the working fluid into the lubricant        stream; and    -   generating compressed gaseous working fluid within the lubricant        stream from the portion of the working fluid, the compressed        gaseous working fluid supplied from the lubricant stream to the        gas bearing of the compressor.        Aspect 22. The method of aspect 21, wherein    -   the portion of the working fluid is gaseous working fluid        suctioned from the evaporator or a motor housing of the        compressor, and    -   generating compressed gaseous working fluid within the lubricant        stream from the portion of the working fluid includes an        auxiliary compressor compressing the gaseous working fluid        within the lubricant stream to generate the compressed gaseous        working fluid.        Aspect 23. The method of aspect 21, wherein    -   suctioning the portion of the working fluid into the lubricant        stream includes suctioning the portion of working fluid into a        tank of the lubricant stream, and    -   generating compressed gaseous working fluid within the lubricant        stream from the portion of the working fluid includes vaporizing        the portion of the working fluid within the tank to generate the        compressed gaseous working fluid        Aspect 24. The method of aspect 23, wherein    -   suctioning the portion of the working fluid into the lubricant        stream includes one of:        -   pumping the portion of the working fluid from the condenser            into a tank of the lubricant stream, the portion of working            fluid suctioned into the lubricant stream being liquid            working fluid, and        -   condensing the portion of the working fluid within the tank            of the lubricant stream, the portion of the working fluid            suctioned into the lubricant stream being gaseous working            fluid.

The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the inventionis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription; and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat transfer circuit, comprising: a compressorfor compressing a working fluid, the compressor including a gas bearing;a condenser for cooling the working fluid with a first process fluid; anexpander for expanding the working fluid; an evaporator for heating theworking fluid with a second process fluid; a main flow path of theworking fluid extending from the compressor through the condenser, theexpander, the evaporator, and back to the compressor; a lubricant streamincluding an inlet and an outlet, the inlet receiving a portion of theworking fluid from the main flow path and the outlet supplying theportion of the working fluid to the gas bearing of the compressor, theportion of the working fluid includes one or more refrigerants that areeach gaseous at the outlet of the lubricant stream; and a heat sourceconfigured to increase one of a temperature of the working fluid flowingthrough the outlet of the lubricant stream and a temperature of the gasbearing.
 2. The heat transfer circuit of claim 1, wherein the portion ofthe working fluid supplied to the gas bearing from the lubricant streamhas a superheat of at or about 4.0° F. or greater than 4.0° F.
 3. Theheat transfer circuit of claim 2, wherein the lubricant stream includesthe heat generating component, and the portion of the working fluid atthe inlet of the lubricant stream has a superheat of less than 4.0° F.4. The heat transfer circuit of claim 2, wherein the superheat of theportion of the working fluid supplied to the gas bearing is at or about5.0° F. or greater than 5.0° F.
 5. The heat transfer circuit of claim 1,wherein the inlet of the lubricant stream connects to the main flow pathat the evaporator or after the evaporator and before the condenser. 6.The heat transfer circuit of claim 5, wherein the inlet of the lubricantstream connects to the main flow path after the compressor and beforethe condenser.
 7. The heat transfer circuit of claim 1, wherein the heatsource is a heater.
 8. The heat transfer circuit of claim 7, wherein theheater is an electric heater.
 9. The heat transfer circuit of claim 7,wherein the heater is a heat exchanger, the working fluid and a thirdprocess fluid flowing separately through the heater, the third processfluid heating the working fluid as the working fluid and the thirdprocess fluid flow through the heater.
 10. The heat transfer circuit ofclaim 9, further comprising: a cooling circuit including the heater andthe third process fluid flowing through the cooling circuit.
 11. Theheat transfer circuit of claim 10, wherein the cooling circuit includesone of a variable frequency drive and a motor of the compressor, thethird process fluid cooling the one of the variable frequency drive andthe motor of the compressor.
 12. The heat transfer circuit of claim 7,wherein the heater is attached to or is a part of the gas bearing. 13.The heat transfer circuit of claim 7, wherein the lubricant streamincludes a tank and a thermoelectric cooler, the heater and thethermoelectric cooler disposed within the tank, the thermoelectriccooler and the thermoelectric cooler configured to generate compressedgaseous working fluid within the tank for the lubricant stream to supplyto the gas bearing, the compressed gaseous working fluid generated bythe thermoelectric cooler condensing the portion of the working fluidand the heater vaporizing the condensed working fluid.
 14. The heattransfer circuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more refrigerantsinclude an HFO refrigerant.
 15. The heat transfer circuit of claim 1,wherein the compressor is an oil-free compressor.
 16. The heat transfercircuit of claim 1, wherein the lubricant stream includes an auxiliarycompressor configured to compress the portion of the working fluidflowing through lubricant stream, the inlet of the lubricant streamconnected to one of the evaporator, between the evaporator and thecompressor, or a motor housing of the compressor.
 17. The heat transfercircuit of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary compressor is the heatsource.
 18. A method of supplying lubricant to a gas bearing of acompressor in a heat transfer circuit, the heat transfer circuitincluding the compressor, a condenser, an expander, an evaporator, and aheater, a working fluid flowing through the heat transfer circuit, themethod comprising: heating the working fluid in the evaporator with aprocess fluid; compressing and further heating at least a portion of theworking fluid heated in the evaporator, the further heating includingthe heater heating the portion of the working fluid heated in theevaporator, and the compressing including one of the compressor and anauxiliary compressor compressing the portion of the working fluid heatedin the evaporator; and supplying the compressed and further heatedportion of the working fluid to the gas bearing of the compressor as thelubricant.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the compressed andfurther heated portion of the working fluid supplied to gas bearing hasa superheat of at or about 4.0° F. or greater than 4.0° F.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the compressing includes the compressorcompressing the working fluid heated in the evaporator, and the portionof the working fluid heated by the heater is a portion of the workingfluid compressed by the compressor.
 21. A method of supplying lubricantto a gas bearing of a compressor in a heat transfer circuit, the heattransfer circuit including the compressor, a condenser, an expander, anevaporator, and a heat source, a working fluid flowing through the heattransfer circuit, a main flow path of the working fluid extending fromthe compressor through the condenser, the expander, the evaporator, andback to the compressor, the method comprising: suctioning a portion ofthe working fluid into the lubricant stream; and generating compressedgaseous working fluid within the lubricant stream from the portion ofthe working fluid, the compressed gaseous working fluid supplied fromthe lubricant stream to the gas bearing of the compressor.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the portion of the working fluid is gaseousworking fluid suctioned from the evaporator or a motor housing of thecompressor, and generating compressed gaseous working fluid within thelubricant stream from the portion of the working fluid includes anauxiliary compressor compressing the gaseous working fluid within thelubricant stream to generate the compressed gaseous working fluid. 23.The method of claim 21, wherein suctioning the portion of the workingfluid into the lubricant stream includes suctioning the portion ofworking fluid into a tank of the lubricant stream, and generatingcompressed gaseous working fluid within the lubricant stream from theportion of the working fluid includes vaporizing the portion of theworking fluid within the tank to generate the compressed gaseous workingfluid
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein suctioning the portion of theworking fluid into the lubricant stream includes one of: pumping theportion of the working fluid from the condenser into a tank of thelubricant stream, the portion of working fluid suctioned into thelubricant stream being liquid working fluid, and condensing the portionof the working fluid within the tank of the lubricant stream, theportion of the working fluid suctioned into the lubricant stream beinggaseous working fluid